MARK Gusterson scored twice as Reg Hambly’s final match in charge of the Camels ended in a 2-0 victory at Dobwalls.

The hosts have made a lot of headlines this season with the best campaign in the club’s history to finish third, but Friday night belonged to Camelford and their much-loved manager.

Fittingly, he ended his 34-year reign by watching a mixture of his trusted experienced players and talented youngsters complete their season with a deserved victory.

And in something of a storybook ending, it was veteran striker Gusterson, one of Hambly’s loyal lieutenants over many years, who grabbed both goals at Lantoom Park.

His first came via the penalty spot in the 18th minute after Ryan Geach had been harshly adjudged to have used his arm to block the ball after slipping. The referee, close to the incident, waved away the Camels’ appeals for a penalty but after consulting with a linesman, pointed to the spot.

Gusterson was never going to miss and the visitors, who had been reduced to 10 men only two minutes earlier when Shae Cardiff was sin-binned, only grew stronger as the game progressed.

They carved out several half chances to increase their lead before half-time while a Dobwalls side struggling to find any rhythm almost, equalised through Dan Tate just before the break.

But Camelford gave themselves some breathing space with a second goal after 53 minutes. Gusterson, on the left side of the penalty, turned inside and curled a superb right foot shot into the far corner of the net.

Gusterson was desperate to find a hat-trick goal from somewhere, but an ankle injury forced him out of the action 10 minutes from time. He had done his bit.

There was still time for Hambly’s son Charlie – now at Western League Premier Division outfit St Blazey – to come on for a cameo appearance in the latter stages.

Dobwalls, driven forward by skipper James Forrest, searched in vain for a goal, but their miserable night was complete when substitute Charlie Castlehouse was sin-binned in the 86th minute.

The final whistle brought scenes of celebration from Camelford’s players, coaches and supporters, who had travelled in their numbers to witness Hambly’s last game.

Hambly, meanwhile, gave an emotional address to his players in the centre circle as one of Cornish football’s longest-serving managers said his farewells.

Reflecting on the evening, Hambly later told the Post: “I was so pleased that the lads put on a great performance going into the summer break.

“Dobwalls are a good side but I thought we defended well and looked dangerous going forward.

“We started the hame with three 17-year-olds who were all superb, but it was perhaps fitting that Gus got the goals.

“He has been a great servant to Camelford and I’m hoping he’ll continue terrorising defenders for another year at least.

“The whole squad were fantastic though and whoever takes over will inherit some talented players and a great set of lads.”

CAMELFORD: Ryelee Deignan; Sam Watts, Sam Wade (capt, Cam Bidgood, 72), Tom Crowe, Bailee Deignan; Kenley Dyson, Ross Beare (Charlie Hambly, 83), Andy Boxall (Dan Balsdon, 90+4); Shae Cardiff, Adam Sleep (Tom Cowling, 74), Mark Gusterson (Josh Caddy, 80).

Camelford man-of-the-match: Mark Gusterson.